Casa Blanca Hotel Brooklyn

There was a strong marijuana smell in the hallway as soon as I arrived, which was concerning. In my room, a plastic bag was covering the fire alarm, a serious safety hazard that clearly suggests people had been smoking there. I also saw cigarette burns on the refrigerator, which points to poor cleaning and maintenance. The room felt unsafe and unsanitary, below basic standards. I wouldn't recommend staying unless the hotel makes significant improvements.

For a short stay, the hotel does what you need. The two guys I spoke with at check-in and check-out were both very nice, whatever other people may have experienced with staff. There was a hole in the bathroom ceiling stuffed with what I assume were paper towels, though. The beds may be stained, but they had protective covers, clean sheets, and okay pillows. If I'd stayed in New York longer, I'd have gone somewhere else.

The bed was clean and did the job for one night, but I wouldn't pick this hotel again unless I had no choice. I live in Queens and was booked here to be near a production site the next morning. Looking back, I would probably have made the early commute instead. At night, the area felt very sketchy, not somewhere I'd bring my family. Inside, the place had a motel feel, and the lobby smelled of weed. I don't know if online and walk-in rates differ, but the in-person price I noticed was about $100 less than what I paid online. The safety latch on my fifth-floor window was broken, which seemed like a real hazard.

The staff were nice, and the air conditioning and heat worked well. There was a fridge in the room, but no full-length mirror. The room itself was dingy, and I wish I'd done my research before staying here because I was only nearby for the Brooklyn Storehouse. The shower pressure was poor, just drops from the head instead of a steady stream. It took a while for the water to get “hot,” and it didn't stay that way. The sheets had tears and holes, and there wasn't a proper heavy blanket, just what felt like several sheets. Seeing hourly room rates listed at the front desk was unusual and a bit unsettling. I wouldn't stay again.